Daniel (Dan) Wolf has always been focused on helping others, but his humanitarian side was probably first widely recognized when he helped sue Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi government. In 1990, after Iraq invaded Kuwait and just before the first Gulf War began, Saddam held dozens of Americans hostage, threatening to chain them to sensitive sites U.S. soldiers were targeting in order to ward off bombings. Under intense international pressure, Saddam relented and released the hostages after almost four months. As a group they sued the Iraqi government, and Dan represented them as their lawyer. Dan succeeded in winning a substantial judgment against the Iraqi government on behalf of the ex-hostages and ended up finding his life's calling.

Taking his earnings from the judgment on behalf of the hostages, Dan worked with Mesirow Financial to establish two accounts. A personal account was set-up with half of the money, and with the other half Dan created "Lifeline International." This fund is used to support inexpensive, direct aid projects. The projects, mostly in Africa, are handled through local self-help groups which are committed to the betterment of the lives of as many people as the limited resources will allow.

Larry Cohen, a senior managing director with the Investment Brokerage group, manages Dan's accounts. Larry remembers meeting Dan and learning about his devotion to being a human rights advocate: "We recommended he set up a foundation which would allow him to pursue his causes worldwide – it is a perfect fit for his finances and his life." Larry helped Dan establish the foundation and now helps manage it so that Dan can concentrate on his work without having to worry about the financial aspect. "We're able to be a small part of the difference he makes, and it's a wonderful feeling," Larry said.

One example of a Lifeline International project is stove manufacturing. The stoves are small but highly efficient appliances that cost only $1.00 each to assemble yet reduce the need for scarce firewood by about 75%. Another project the foundation is currently focused on is well drilling. For less than $2,500, a well-drilling project in Africa can be funded, providing clean water for 24,000 people. The well-drilling success combined with the stove manufacturing projects drastically reduces the use of limited resources and saves thousands of African women from foraging for water and fuel daily

Paul Pliester, senior managing director, Institutional Sales and Trading, who has known Dan since he was a small boy, says that Dan's lifelong work is no surprise to those that know Dan well. "I believe it was a result of the way he was brought up," Paul surmises. A way that not only instilled such values so as to make philanthropic and humanitarian work attractive to Dan, but one that also made him enthusiastic enough to convince others to support his causes. Paul himself recently contributed to the well-drilling project in Africa. "It's high-impact charity, affecting the lives of a lot of people at once. When I donate money [to Lifeline International], I like to feel that it's a big bang for few bucks – and that's what Dan's projects are."

For more information about Dan Wolf and his projects, or to make a contribution to The International Lifeline Fund, please contact Dan at 202-276-7860 or at dwolf@sprengerlang.com.